Egyptian galabia

[Hurghada Lady]

An Egyptian woman's galabia in the Ottoman Domination, during the time from 1517 to 1882, was required when a woman wanted to buy something or to visit her family. She had to cover her face. Women were not allowed to be recognized by anyone while she was walking down the street. She had to wear a black galabia made from thick material or wool during the winter and one made from cotton during the summer. Her galabia had to be wide and long, reaching down to her feet. She must have long sleeves. She put a black tarah on her head and she covered her face with light black material that allowed her to see. All Egyptian women had to dress in a galabia of the same color and the same style. A women had no rights, even for education.

From 1940 to 1952, During this period some Egyptian writers persuaded the women to wake up from their ignorance. A famous Egyptian author named Kasiem Amain asked the women in Egypt to take of all their black dresses and told them to be free. He organized the Egyptian women into a strike in the streets of Cairo and the other cities, asking the government leaders for freedom and equal rights in education, work and politics. The strike was successful. Since that time women, especially girls and young women, take off the black galabia and all the black covers. But, on the other hand, the Muslim women who wear the hijab have not found anything better than the galabia to wear with their hijab. It is comfortable to wear during all seasons.

At the present, women are dressing in the galabia from the north to the south and from the east to the west. The Egyptian women who are farmers wear the galabia while they work in the fields. It has a different color, though, with beautiful designs. In the desert, they are wearing the galabia. It is black in color when they are working out side their houses. In side the houses, it could be many colors and styles. In the capital and the big cites, the dress designer keeps redesigning the galabia to make it up-to-date. At any fashion show in Cairo, the galabia is a big part of the fashion show.

The modern Egypian women can wear the galabia at any time of the day. It has different names during the day. At the evening it is called party galabia and is made from high quality material and very fashionable.

As you see, Egyptian women’s galabia is traditional, comfortable for all seasons and fashionable at any time during the day. It is suitable with Muslim women’s religious dress.


By Fatma Wahba

[LittleLee]

not sure if ive ever seen you in a galabia , hurghada lady ... do you wear one when you go to visit the mother-in-law

[Spike]

I think she just wears it for bed

[Hurghada Lady]

Claire I bought some when I lived in Luxor and we used to lounge in them, but no not worn one here......not even in bed!!

[Susue]

I like seeing Russian tourist guys in galabeyas....
They always have the Arafat head-dress too.... and look totally stupid!!

[Claire]

Love my galabeyas. I've got a cupboard full, all colours long and short sleeved. They are so comfy and the cotton ones are the coolest things to wear in the Egyptian heat. Never worn outside the house though!

[CocoaButter]

i wore this one for my wedding very long time ago but i wore a pink hijab with gold running through it with Gold shoes and of course me gold and pearls .I did not wear a bright colours owing that we just come out of mourning for my father inlaw ,but it was a an exsperience i wud not go through ever again as a forigner .
i been wearing kaftans and galebya now for 30years and i got some wonderful ones i recently had from my family one hand made for me woven and hand sewn in the Nrth Sena ,gorgeous .